Chapter 2234: Awe-Struck Crowds

Chapter 2234: Awe-Struck Crowds

In the Jing residence,

Madam Jing looked at her husband with suspicion. "Did you already know about this?"

Minister Jing remained calm and said, "I knew, but I thought the Emperor would do everything to persuade him to change his mind. I didn't expect that he would remain steadfast in his decision."

In the Zhou residence,

Cen Yi found it incredible at first, but then she sighed and spoke softly to herself, "Actually, upon careful consideration, it doesn't seem so surprising. If he were truly determined to climb the social ladder single-mindedly, marrying me back then would have been the best way out. Afterward, when he earned merit by defeating Gongqiu, the late Emperor wanted to reward him, but he refused."

Everything seemed to have a pattern.

In the Wu and Xue households, the daughters of government officials were also discussing the matter.

Not only them, but even the examinees who had not yet left the capital heard about this news.

The examinees from Changjin Prefecture immediately went to ask Xun Sheng for information. Xun Sheng himself was still puzzled, saying, "I don't know either. He wouldn't have told me something like this, and even now, I can't believe it's true."

"Who knows what Young Master Meng is thinking? We've worked hard in the Imperial Examination for many years, all for this moment of receiving an official position. Yet he's giving up just as he's about to enter the gate."

"But I heard that both Master Huai'an and Master Hejiang will be teaching at the academy he's opening. With those two, won't the academy be flooded with students?"

"Anyway, I didn't pass the exam this time. Maybe after the academy opens, we can go take a look? Besides, we can see the beautiful scenery praised by Master Shanju."

"I'll go too. Maybe, with the connection I have with Scholar Meng, I can get guidance from Master Huai'an and Master Hejiang and pass the exam in three years."

As they talked, their anticipation grew. Only a few people quietly discussed the ranking of the Tanhua and the Second Placer.

As the Second Placer, Chu Qiuping was fine; his knowledge was there, but he couldn't compare to Meng Yunzheng, which was a fact. Regardless of whether the other person wanted an official position or not, this was the reality.

The imperial examination only tested a person's knowledge, but their future position depended on their own abilities.

So Chu Qiuping, after the initial shock of Meng Yunzheng's decision, began to admire him secretly. After all, not everyone could follow a path that led away from the main road and choose a route that wouldn't help their career.

However, Jin Lin couldn't stand it. If Meng Yunzheng didn't intend to become an official, then why should he even participate?

If he didn't take the exam this time, he would have been the Second Placer, the second-ranked.

Jin Lin was annoyed and smashed two flower vases at home before seeking out Chu Qiuping to complain.

Chu Qiuping glanced at him and asked in return, "But whether you're the Second Placer or the Third Placer, when receiving an official position, you'll both be Attendants of the Hanlin Academy, right?"

Besides, he suspected that even without Meng Yunzheng, Jin Lin had a high probability of becoming the Third Placer.

In the end, Jin Lin choked on his words. He hated how Chu Qiuping was so mature and diplomatic about the situation.

However, what nobody knew was that the next day, the Emperor promoted Chu Qiuping to be a Compiler in the Hanlin Academy.